Theater review: Actress shines, but ‘Color Purple’ is uneven

In a scene from The Color Purple at Karamu House, Cherie Dominique, as Shug, on platform, sings Push the Button as dancers De 'Ja Tanae and Stephen Shepherd. in the center groove to the beat. CorLesia Crysel Smith, portraying Celie is seated at the far right.
(Photos Courtesy TSpivey)

In a scene from The Color Purple at Karamu House, CorLesia Crysel Smith as Celie (far left) is brought into the world of the African Homeland through Nettie's letters. (Photos Courtesy TSpivey)

In a scene from The Color Purple at Karamu House, CorLesia Crysel Smith as Celie (left) listens to Christina Johnson as Sophia and her sisters sing, Hell No. (Photos Courtesy TSpivey)

In a scene from The Color Purple at Karamu House, Shug played by Cherie Dominique (left) sings The Color Purple to CorLesia Crysel Smith as Celie. (Photos Courtesy TSpivey)

In a scene from The Color Purple at Karamu House,
church soloist Renata Napier (left to right) Preacher Anthony Lanier, and the Church Ladies Joyce Linzy, Layne Farr, and Jacqueline Lockett, sings the opening number, Mysterious Ways. (Photos Courtesy TSpivey)